SMB pop top for sale (SOLD!)

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by rockbender

Let's see here:



Jage is spot on - a nibbler would have been even better! I don't recall how I cut the cross braces. sawzall, die grinder... once you get the lid off it's pretty easy.

The air chisel looks like it opened it up like a can opener......exactly how I was hoping it would work.

[calebmogul]

I used a skill saw with a metal cutting blade to install a 1975 Turtle pop top that I found at a junk yard, onto my 89 E150 van. The total cost was $500 bucks including having the canvas tent replaced entirely. These other posts indicate a superior method in my opinion, but hey, if you don't have the exact tool you can still get er' done pretty easy. Circuluar saw &/or sawzall will do the trick to cut your rough opening. Having done a pop top and windows in my vans - cutting the metal is pretty simple, it cuts like warm butter. It's only scary because of the worry of F?%$ing it up. Measure six times, sleep on it, and measure again. Deep breath, Cut. Pay close attention to cleaning out the filings meticulously, and taking care of any bare metal with primer/paint.

P.S. One of the issues I had, over time, and lots of miles on washboard roads, was that I lost a lot of the rigidness of the van side walls when I cut out the roof cross members of the van. ( I had to take all the rear cross members out to fit the steel frame of the turtle top). The bummer was that my rear doors eventually stopped latching as the van body became slightlly "scewed". I would assume that Sportsmobile's pop top's took the loss of the roof ribs into consideration. I haven't seen any posts on this website with this problem. Ultimately my suggestion is be sure to save as many roof ribs as you can.

Anyone else have issues with their rear doors?

[checksicks]

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I will try to do some before and after shots. Can't wait to get started.

[jage]

Originally Posted by checksicks

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I will try to do some before and after shots. Can't wait to get started.

Neat. How are you getting the top?

[checksicks]

Plan is for REF to ship it out.

[Pntyrmvr]

Hi;

Here is the link to my top swap:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=8775&hilit=84+dodge+1984+4x4+ dodge

Keep your eye on the springs and all shall be safe.

Regards,

Gavin

[checksicks]

Awesome Gavin! Nice work and thank you!